2005 PSR SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
JASON BAY
By Jim Lachimia

Last month, a headline in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette referred to Jason Bay as "underrated."

Well, let's see. The Pirates' leftfielder was voted National League Rookie of the Year in 2004, and was a member of All-Star team this past season. Then last month his employer bestowed upon him a four-year, $18.25 million contract.

All of that begs the question: Who exactly is underrating him?

In 2005, the 27-year-old Bay batted .306 with 44 doubles, 32 homers, 101 RBI and 110 runs scored - all of which were marked improvements over his excellent rookie campaign. For two years now, he has been way ahead of the curve in terms of maturity and production for someone of his age and experience level.

"It's a pretty unusual situation to see a player get to the big leagues and perform at as high a rate as he has and really not have a hiccup at any point in time," Pirates' General Manager Dave Littlefield said. "The level he's performed at and the numbers he's put up since he's been here are very impressive."

Those 2005 numbers are even more impressive when you consider that, with Craig Wilson injured for most of the year, Bay was really the only legitimate run producer in the Pirates' line-up. The supporting cast was made up mostly of journeymen, utility guys and rookies.

Opposing teams were determined not to let Bay beat them, but often he did. And in situations where he sensed he was clearly being pitched around, he stayed disciplined and took his walks - 95 of them (compared to 41 as a rookie).

"It's rare to see a guy of such a low level of experience make adjustments as well as Jason did," Littlefield said. "It's a credit to him, and it's part of the reason for offering him a multi-year contract. You have more confidence in a guy like that who has shown the ability to adjust."

At a gathering at PNC Park recently, sponsors and season ticket holders asked new Pirates' manager Jim Tracy several questions regarding how he will handle the team's corps of young talent. One of the responses he offered was: "You will not see Jason Bay square around to bunt, I can promise you that right now."

Smart guy, that Jim Tracy. He knows what he has in Jason Bay. He saw from it from the opposing dugout the past couple of seasons. What's the better news for the new skipper? At the press conference that announced Bay's new contract, Pirates' Managing General Partner Kevin McClatchy said: "I've challenged Dave Littlefield to go out and get us two more bats to put around Jason."

McClatchy, Littlefield and Tracy have no doubts that the humble Bay will continue to perform at a high level. Nothing they've seen to this point could convince them otherwise.

Jim Lachimia is the editor of On Deck Magazine and covers Major League Baseball for PSR.